Friends of the Rail Forum

Mary Creagh, Labour Shadow Transport Secretary, Says Thomas The Tank Engine To Blame For A Lack Of Female Train Drivers

Thomas the Tank Engine, written in Stroud, 'to blame for lack of female train drivers'

By way of contrast, The Railway Magazine (on p 87 of its Christmas 2013 edition) reports that a Bluebell Railway steam loco was driven and fired by an all-woman crew on 10 November 2013.

I'm afraid this lady is one of many politicians in the UK who are regarded as "Ultra Feminist". In order to get noticed and win votes they spout forth loads of politically correct garbage. In addition the newspaper which first reported it is well known for its inaccurate reporting.

It is fair to say that the Thomas Books, when made into a TV series, regenerated interest amongst children, both girls and boys, in Railways. One of the many money spinners in UK preservation are "Thomas Weekends" when engines are disguised as characters from the books.

When visiting Hermanstad recently I was impressed by a young couple with their toddlers, a girl & a boy aged less than 4, who were looking for a tank engine so they could see Thomas.

Already in UK, the prolific Children's writer of 60 years ago Enid Blighton has her work frowned on because she is considered discriminatory. It looks like Rev. Audrey could be next, then I suppose they will look to find fault with J.K. Rowling.